title: Characterization of the epidermal growth factor receptor in pig oviduct and endometrium.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether the stage of the oestrous cycle (day 1, n = 5; day 6, n = 5; day 12, n = 3 gilts) has an influence on the expression and activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in the pig oviduct and uterus. Histochemistry, cross-linking of 125I-labelled EGF to isolated oviductal and endometrial membranes or on cryostat sections, and EGF-R binding assay were used to demonstrate the presence of the EGF-R in a qualitative and quantitative manner. The bioactivity of the EGF-R in the oviduct was estimated by means of a protein tyrosine kinase activity assay. This study suggests that EGF-R is widely distributed both in glandular and stromal cells of the endometrium and in epithelial cells of the oviduct in pigs. The concentrations of EGF-R were higher in oviductal membranes on day 1 (22.4 +/- 8.7 fmol mg-1 protein) in comparison with day 6 (11.0 +/- 0.42 fmol mg-1 protein; P < 0.05), but not on day 12 (16.0 +/- 2.9 fmol mg-1 protein). The concentrations dropped similarly in the endometrium (day 1: 66.8 +/- 16.4 fmol mg-1 protein; day 6: 39.1 +/- 3.4 fmol mg-1 protein (P < 0.05); day 12: 38.0 +/- 14.6 fmol mg-1 protein). The dissociation constant (Kd) showed the same pattern. These data were supported by cross-linking of 125I-labelled EGF to a 170 kDa membrane protein representing the EGF-R. In contrast to day 6 and 12 of the cycle, a significantly (P < 0.05) higher endogenous protein tyrosine kinase activity was observed on day 1. In summary, changes in concentrations and functional status of the EGF-R may play a significant role in the cascade of cellular events in oviductal and endometrial tissues.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Reproductive Biology, Research Institute for Biology of Farm Animals, Dummerstorf, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wollenhaupt
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tiemann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Einspanier
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kanitz
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Brüssow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004971:Estrus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors